Bugs at Princeton; Goldman Sachs Cancels at Penn

Today in academia: bug infestations at Princeton, a sexual harassment lawsuit at Columbia, Goldman Sachs cancels at UPenn, adderall at Duke, and a philosopher 'fraternity rush.'

Secret scourge at Princeton is very relatable. It's bug infestations, according to The Daily Princetonian, that are apparently on the rise and "go unreported." Consider the dorm infestations a prelude to what undergrads should expect in their presumably even tinier apartments. Although, by the tales recounted by the student newspaper, things don't seem to be looking very good: students "regularly encounter a host of bugs in their bedrooms, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, hornets, centipedes, stink bugs and silverfish" and the school saw an 11 percent increase in bug-related reports this year. Naturally, students are "bonding" over fending off the things: "They have also developed crafty techniques to combat unwanted bugs, from lint-rolling ants off tables to using plungers on cockroaches and spraying Raid on spiders." [The Daily Princetonian]

Former Columbia student files $1 million sexual harassment lawsuit against professor. The lawsuit, as relayed by The Columbia Spectator, stated that the accuser's professor "insisted on sitting very close to her during meetings," said inappropriate things to her and "demand[ed] sex from the student in exchange for a passing grade in an independent study class she took in fall 2005." And disturbingly,The Spectator notes, she "claims she repeatedly tried to contact administrators in an attempt to get them to address the situation, but says they were uncooperative." [The Columbia Spectator via New York Post]

Goldman Sachs cancelled another Ivy League event. It was at the University of Pennyslvania "earlier this semester," and this one wasn't cancelled because of "low attendance" as had been stated in the case of Brown's canceled info session. According to a career services director at UPenn, who spoke to the student paper: "companies are increasingly hiring college graduates who have previously held an internship with the organization where they are applying, rather than those who have had no prior experience with the company." That makes sense. As we understand the explanation, it seems that places like Goldman would look to somewhat internal applicants rather than solely focus on on campus recruiting. Still, we couldn't read about the cancellation and not think about the tension between the Occupy movement and banking and consulting recruiters on campuses. [The Daily Pennsylvanian]

Yup, Duke has a problem with Adderall usage during finals week, too. The Duke student paper's blueprint for their Adderall story follows a familiar vein: Find unnamed student(s) who use a preposterous amount to study + cite national figures on how the "study drug" is overused + sprinkle in fretting from administrators who can't monitor its use + sobering quote on why Adderall doesn't really help. And here's the sobering quote, from a Student Wellness assistant, on why hitting the library for an Adderall all-nighter may not work, still: “In actuality, you’re probably better off getting the sleep than studying because your brain will actually function better." [The Duke Chronicle]

Philosophy job hiring event gets criticized as a 'fraternity rush.' Today, we learn from Inside Higher Ed that prospective candidates for philosophy jobs in academia are concerned about an annual event held by the American Philosophical Association. Deemed "the smoker," it's where "candidates and search committees mingle over drinks, with hiring committees at tables around the room." And, judging by the news outlet's take, some candidates have described an unpleasant atmosphere that "many philosophers say ... is antiquated at best, and creates particular problems for women" who relayed instances of being hit on at the hiring event. Said one male professor: "People sort of mill about. There is overpriced beer and there is an awful lot of people looking very awkward. Some job candidates just avoid it, others go because they have to be there." [Inside Higher Ed]

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